geodesic dome

geodesic dome

(jē'ədĕs`ĭk, –dē`sĭk), structure that roughly approximates a hemisphere. Popular in recent years as economical, easily erected buildings, geodesic domes are geometrically determined from a model and may be constructed from limited materials. The architect Buckminster FullerFuller, R. Buckminster(Richard Buckminster Fuller), 1895–1983, American architect and engineer, b. Milton, Mass. Fuller devoted his life to the invention of revolutionary technological designs aimed at solving problems of modern living......Click the link for more information. was an early proponent of geodesics for housing and other functions. Among the best-known examples of geodesic domes have been the United States Pavilion at Montreal's Expo 67 and Biosphere II, an experimental recreation of the ecosystem in Arizona.

geodesic dome

Consisting of a multiplicity of similar straight linear elements, arranged in triangles or pentagons; the members in tension have a minimal cross section and make up a spherical surface usually in the shape of a dome.

geodesic dome

[¦jē·ə¦des·ik ′dōm]

(architecture)

A dome constructed of many light, straight structural elements in tension, arranged in a framework of triangles to reduce stress and weight.

Geodesic dome

A curved lattice grid dome that utilizes the equilateral triangle as the basis of its surface grid geometry. R. Buckminster Fuller, the inventor and champion of the geodesic dome, obtained a patent in 1954 that described a method of dividing a spherical surface into equilateral triangles. The two regular polyhedra that can be inscribed in a sphere are the dodecahedron (12 faces, each of which is a regular polygon; illus. a) and the more utilized icosahedron (20 faces, each of which is an equilateral triangle; illus. b).

The geodesic dome has been used for everything from great exhibition spaces and halls to outdoor tent supports and jungle gyms. By utilizing the icosahedron as the basic building block of the geodesic dome, larger domes are possible with additional triangular subdivisions. This subdivision is known as the frequency. The first frequency is to interconnect the projected midpoints of the struts of each equilateral triangle of the icosahedron as they will project on the spherical surface. The result is four almost equilateral triangles where there was one before. The resulting lattice has similar but not exactly equilateral triangles if the grid is to remain on the spherical surface. This subdivision process can continue. The resulting grids have both triangular and hexagonal grids as a by-product within the basic geodesic dome geometry, with pentagons around the apex of the basic underlying icosahedron framework (illus. c).

geodesic dome

A structure consisting of a multiplicity of similar, light, straight-line elements (usually in tension) which form a grid in the shape of a dome.

WELCOME: The Duke of Gloucester at Acklam Grange school, with headteacher Andrea Crawshaw, left, and in the Geodesic Dome, below Pictures by IAN McINTYRE DUTIES: The Duke at the Higher Education and Conference Centre in Redcar, above, and unveiling a plaque at Roseberry Park, right Picture, left, by KATIE LUNN PLEASED TO MEET YOU: Youngsters at Priory Woods get out the bunting, left, while pupils at the school meet the Duke before he leaves, below

WHEN HE DIED IN 1983, Buekminster Fuller was the world's most beloved designer, a pioneer of bold new geometric concepts in transportation (the streamlined Dymaxion Car), housing (the geodesic dome, a lightweight hemisphere of connected polygons), and urbanism (a supersized dome proposed to cover central Manhattan), a best-selling author and mesmerizing speaker, and a prophet of environmental stewardship.

Built by one of the world's richest and most eccentric inventors, it seemed only fitting that the world's largest flying boat would be housed in the world's largest geodesic dome next to one of the world's largest ships.

research stations: the 1950s wooden structures already buried under the ice and barely visible in outline; a 1970s geodesic dome slowly sinking into the permafrost; and the new station still being built, this time on pylons that will help to keep it raised above the gradual buildup of ice.

Choosing a wooded, riverine area of land little used by her Maasai neighbours, and building a geodesic dome by a sacred Mugumo tree, Croze started a stained-glass studio that has, over the years, evolved into a complex of workshops.

It is the geodesic dome salvaged from Berlin's Tempelhof Airport and reassembled to create a 'think tank' for artists confronted with the problem of performing or exhibiting in the huge space of Alveole 14, the city's new international centre for contemporary art and music.

Another was Buckminster Fuller, the polymath who invented the geodesic dome and whose ideas about researchers crossing disciplinary and institutional lines were, Turner argues, intimately connected with Cold War military research.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.